FARA Marketing Manager and St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School Alumna
“Forget loose change in brown paper bags – these kids have baristas”
When I joined FARA, I never imagined it would lead me back to my old high school, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School. One of my first tasks as Marketing Manager was proofreading our tender submission for The Forest project. Almost a year later I was preparing our tender for the Canopy Café – a surreal moment for someone who once ate lunch sitting on the concrete floor of the undercroft, yelling to my friends over the soundtrack of music lessons drifting from the adjacent rooms, and hoping Mum was on tuckshop duty so she’d shout me a treat.
Back then, the tuckshop was a humble operation: coins in a brown paper bag, sandwiches made by volunteers and maybe a burning hot – while still cold in the middle – sausage roll if you were lucky. Fast forward 15 years (give or take), and school hospitality has evolved into something that would make MasterChef contestants jealous. When I visited to take project completion photos, there was an actual chef tossing pizza dough in the air (click here to see video evidence). At school. Let that sink in.
What makes the Canopy Café special?
A kitchen built for professional cooking This isn’t your old pie-warmer setup. The Canopy Café has a full commercial kitchen designed to support chefs who prepare fresh, high-quality meals every day.
Coffee culture on campus Yes, you read that right – barista-quality coffee at school. Staff and students can grab a flat white without leaving campus. Who knew caffeinating kids would become part of the plan?
Smart service, no paper bags Remember scribbling your order on a brown paper bag? Those days are gone. Modern POS systems make ordering quick and easy for everyone.
Spaces that work hard It’s not just a tuckshop – it’s a flexible space for lunch breaks, study sessions and even school events. With indoor booths and outdoor seating flowing into The Forest courtyard, it’s designed for connection.
Collaborative success: St Margaret’s + DMA Partners + Blight Rayner + FARA
This project was what I consider a masterclass in collaboration – every decision, every detail was shaped by a shared commitment to creating a space that enhances the student experience and the business operations of the school.
The St Margaret’s project team shaped the brief around the school’s values and future aspirations, championing a design that prioritises student connection and wellbeing while offering flexibility for a variety of uses
The Canopy Café started as a concept by Blight Rayner Architects, designed not just as a hospitality hub but as a space that supports how students learn and interact. Every detail – from layout to flow – was considered with the end user (kitchen staff and student) experience in mind.
DMA Partners, as Project Manager, kept that vision front and center, ensuring decisions aligned with creating an environment that complements learning rather than distracts from it.
Finally, FARA brought the vision to life, translating renders into reality with precision and care – always asking, “How can we improve the day-to-day experience for students and staff?”
Visiting the site during construction was a highlight. From the overhead walkways, groups of fascinated students leaned over the railings, watching the transformation unfold. Their excitement was a reminder of why these projects matter –because they shape the spaces where memories are made.
Leadership that inspires
I was extremely proud that FARA’s project team was led by Fay Amiri.
Having the students see female representation in the construction industry is invaluable. Fay proves that women can excel in this field, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for others.
We’re already seeing the impact of this project in inspiring the next generation to explore careers in construction, architecture, and project management – starting with FARA’s very first intern!
Why this project matters
For me, this project was personal. I know firsthand how much this upgrade means to students and staff.
Girls will meet their life-long best friends in the Canopy Café. They’ll share stories over coffee, laugh between classes and create memories that last long after graduation.
And the response from alumnae has been incredible. This project is reconnecting the St Margaret’s community across generations – sparking conversations and creating links that go beyond the school gates. A ripple effect that could shape future projects for the school.
